Folks in Anchorage, Alaska, have seen Spain's running of the bulls and wondered what kind of festival they could do to match it. On Sunday, they began a new tradition, bringing seven reindeer — small ones — out on Fourth Avenue and letting them stampede into a group of people. The people were supposed to try to outrun the deer, but quickly it became a matter of eluding them and letting them past. "We thought, 'Okay, they're just going to mosey along,' but they took off running," said Amanda Pelkola, who ran dressed as a carrot. "We got smoked by the reindeer." The event drew about 1,000 runners, and spectators who were not necessarily accustomed to seeing reindeer except through a gun sight. "Normally we just eat them," said Mark Berg.

Puppies on patrol get paw protection

To cut down on injuries, police dogs in Duesseldorf, Germany, will be outfitted with shoes. The shoes will be available in three sizes and will be blue, to match the uniforms of the human officers. "I'm not sure they like it, but they'll have to get used to it," spokesman Andre Hartwich said. The city is famous both for its bars and parties, and the dogs have been suffering injuries due to stepping on broken beer bottles. The dogs will be required to use the footwear only during times that injuries are likely. "Now we just have to teach the dogs how to tie their shoes," Hartwich said.

Priceless hair

Washington's hair draws $17,000

A man who declined to give his name won an auction for what might be four strands of George Washington's hair. No one really knows, but the seller said that her father said that someone told him it was Washington's hair, and that was all the buyer needed to plunk down $17,000 ($4,250 per strand). A historical society looked at the evidence and gave its thumbs-up to the claims. The owner of the Lexington, Ky., auction house was disappointed. He thought they would get at least $75,000. For those keeping track of stories about Washington's hair, this is not the same hair that is on display at a Philadelphia museum.

H2 ... Ohhhh!

Judges just love the water from L.A.

If you're going to Los Angeles, make sure you try the water. According to the 18th Annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting this weekend in West Virginia, Los Angeles and British Columbia came out on top among the 120 waters vying for the title. "It's not the first time Los Angeles has won," said event producer Jill Klein Rone. "It means they give special care and attention to their water and how it is processed." Sparkling, tap and bottled water from 19 states and nine foreign countries was judged by 10 journalists and food critics. They based their rankings on taste, odor, mouth feel, aftertaste — and checked to make sure nothing was floating in the water.

Compiled from Times wire services and other sources by staff writer Jim Webster, who can be reached at jwebster@sptimes.com.